Is this destiny?

Jasper saw Ellie walk out of the bathroom few minutes later, wearing his shirt. She folded the sleeves several times up to her elbows, buttoned up all except the topmost button and the shirt is almost reaching her knees. Based on the wrinkles on bottom edges of the shirt, he can tell that she tried tying it up around her waist, but then decided not to… probably thinking that she might look too inviting. But she does not realize that he never saw any girl look so seductive in his life. In his shirt, slightly blushing… she is beautiful. The only thing that can make her more tempting is if she removed her jeans pants and wore his shirt like a mini-dress.

Jasper closed his eyes in an attempt to calm down his wondering mind.

Ellie saw that Jasper closed his eyes and he took a deep breath. She was not sure what to think. Did he dislike her now? She did act childishly. Who throws a pillow at a man who is holding a glass of red wine? And even if stains come out of the t-shirts, that sofa will be a totally different thing. She should probably offer to buy him a new sofa. Maybe one exactly like that one, or maybe something else… whatever he wants. But that does not change the fact that few minutes ago she acted like a small child. She was tense because of her mindset, and then his expression… and he wanted to know what she is thinking… too embarrassing.

"I\'m sorry. Let me know how I can compensate you for the sofa.", she mumbled while standing few steps away from the sofa. She didn\'t dare come closer.

"It\'s OK. Come." Jasper gestured to come to the sofa, and she can see when looking at the table that he already poured himself a second glass.

Ellie awkwardly sat on the edge of the sofa and wondered why is she making all this so strange? Why is she acting like a robot? They met more than once already and spoke for hours and exchanged hundreds of messages… and it was always a pleasant atmosphere. Why everything feels so forced now? It does not make sense. Unless… it\'s because she is trying to hide things. Yes, that must be the reason. She is having all kinds of thoughts about him and about the possibilities while at the same time trying to conceal them from him. JoAnna told her that relationships are a partnership and that communication is important.

She shook her head slightly while thinking that there is no way she will tell him how she is dreaming about his kisses and how good it feels when his arms are around her… but she can tell him other things.

"I am sorry for acting like a brat. If I can have a redo, I would not throw that pillow at you. I don\'t know what got over me. It\'s probably because I didn\'t see you last two days and I was missing you and being here now made me tense and I ended up doing a thing I usually don\'t do." Ellie looked at Jasper and paused when she realized that he is observing her with a slight shock on his face.

Jasper broke into a smile and pulled her closer to him.

"I missed you too.", he said with a charming voice while handing her a glass of wine from the table.

Ellie was about to sink into embarrassment again, but she heard him ask: "Tell me about your last two days. What kept you so busy that you even neglected to respond to most of my texts?"

She accepted the glass and started recollecting the faulty fabric and how she scrambled to get a replacement sent in time… and she was surprised that he leaned back and listened to her every word attentively.

The time passed, and Ellie was on her third glass of wine. "I should not drink more before eating something."

"Lunch. Right! Where do you want to go?"

Ellie looked at herself. "I can\'t go in your shirt."

Jasper glanced on the side. "Your top is in the wash… it will be clean and dried in about two to three hours. That is too long to wait."

His eyes flashed playfully. "If my shirt is making you uncomfortable, you can always remove it."

Ellie was outraged. Why does this guy like to tease her so much? But then… maybe it\'s not teasing, maybe he is serious. She narrowed her eyes at him. "You invited me here. How about you make me something for lunch?"

Jasper was taken aback. "Me? Cook?"

Ellie felt that she is onto something. "Yes. Don\'t tell me that the most eligible bachelor in Chicago does not know how to cook? Even something simple?"

Jasper frowned while his eyes shifted. "I don\'t think you will like it. We can order somehting to be delivered."

"I don\'t want delivery. I want to see what you can make. It can\'t be that bad.", Ellie was not willing to give up on this. How bad can it be?

…

At that time, in Burr Ridge neighborhood in Chicago…

In a large estate villa, owned by Cavadini family… there is a party.

Men dressed in formal suits and ladies in cocktail dresses are chatting in small groups while tables arranged thorough lower level of the villa hold bite sized appetizers and desserts. Staff is weaving between people while carrying trays with various beverages, champaigne mostly.

"Uncle Norman, I thought you said that Jasper will come today.", Lilian sweetly told Jasper\'s father.

"Yes. He said that he will come.", Norman responded with a slight smile. He thought how Lilian is such a sweet child, she can always brighten up his mood.

Lilian\'s brows slightly furrowed and she lowered her head. "But it\'s after two already, and he is not here. Are you sure that he is coming? What if something happened to him?"

Only then Norman realized that Jasper is late. Being about fifteen minutes late is acceptable, but anything more than that is rude.

"Why don\'t you call him and check?", Norman suggested thinking that this is giving Lilian a good reason to reach out to Jasper.

Lilian pouted and looked at Norman like she is a hurt puppy. "I don\'t think you understand how bad he is treating me. He blocked my phone. And even if I call from another number, as soon as he hears my voice he hangs up without a word."

"Don\'t worry, Lily. I will talk with him. No matter what, I will not let him mistreat you." Norman patted Lilian\'s hand.

"Thank you, Uncle Norman.", Lilian sweetly said and walked away.

Norman looked after Lilian while shaking his head slightly. He wondered, how can his son be so rude to such a sweet girl? He snorted and got his phone.

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